Previous Page 67 Next

the head with a bottle in the hands of one Miles and also struck in the face with a glass in the hand of one Fax Limbeck. We will take the privilege right here to say that he was engaged in both rows mentioned, and while he has time and money for the support of the saloon, Winneshiek county pays his debts. All anyone has to do is to look over the proceedings of the Board of Supervisors for the last twelve months and they will find the correctness of this statement—a fact that goes to prove that the saloon is a factor that helps fill the pauper schedule.

The saloon keepers mentioned are not all the ones that are selling. Fertig, the man who went over to Wisconsin to stay while the county officials were visiting Ossian, is running his illegal business as usual; and by the sound in Wershing's building last Sunday night, we should judge he had also returned from over the river. Mrs. G. M. McLane informs the public that she is not selling liquors of any kind, but has laid in a small stock of groceries and invites a share of that trade. We should judge she gets her share by the way they swarm in and out of her grocery; but a noticeable feature of her business is that while all other grocery stores, restaurants and dry goods stores are open to the public Sunday, as well as any other day, those patronizing her on that day go around to another door, and the parcels they bring out are not visible to the naked eye. It must be that she is trying to enforce the Sunday law that the officials of the town have forgotten all about.

I hope this will set them to thinking about the matter and see if we cannot have less disturbance hereafter on the Sabbath day." Wide Awake in Ossian.

Item from the Bee: "Warrants for several saloonkeepers were served by Deputy Rosa. They all bear the date of Feb. 13, 1887, and were issued on sworn statements by E . L. Valleau, C. Woodruff and L. Matteson. The hearings have been postponed till July 21. In the meantime, Justice Toye has issued no order to hang the defendants or destroy their property.

After the raids by Sheriff Hargreaves, the saloon keepers are all laid up on the shelf to dry and not one drop of 'oh-be-joyful' is to be found in Ossian. Tom Conroy's hat gave him away. Every stranger arriving in town last week was considered to be a possible deputy till proven otherwise. The saloonkeepers have all left town."

Item from the Republican: "Mr. Gosselin, one of the attorneys engaged in the liquor cases, was arrested in Ossian yesterday, on a charge made by a 'saloon bum' of carrying concealed weapons. He was tried (?) before Justice Malloy. 'Ye gods and little fishes!' What a trial that must have been! To prove the offense they called as witnesses Constable Hargreaves and Mr. Geo. Raban, who were accompanying Mr. G. in official capacities. These gentlemen said that at Galmar, that morning or the night before, Mr. G. had unloaded and re-loaded a revolver which he had given to the Constable and was then on the person of Mr. Hargreaves, as a law man. There was another revolver lying on a table. This had been put in a hand satchel, and had not been seen since. To obtain further proof, the person of Gosselin was publicly searched in the Courtroom—he declining the privilege of going with an officer into a private room. Nothing was found upon him—absolutely nothing to justify the charge. This completely disproved the offense. Nevertheless, the Justice—shades of Dogberry?—pronounced him guilty!!! And imposed a fine of $100, in default of payment to be sent to jail for 30 days!!! Notice of appeal was immediately given, and the prisoner consigned to the care of Sheriff Langland for conveyance to Decorah. Bail was given this morning. Of course, this will end the matter; for the parties will never have the cheek to present it in the District Court. The evident intent was to drive off the attorney and prevent him from securing evidence. The zeal of Mayor Carter who prosecuted (?) and the saloon bums of that berg in enforcing the law against carrying concealed weapons is enough to make a wooden image of an Indian used as a tobacco store sign, break out into a fit of laughter."

Page 67
Previous * Next

This page was transcribed using ABBYY FineReader 12 to verify transcription Click Here

Please, contact the County Coordinator to submit additions or corrections.


Ossian History Home * Winneshiek IAGenWeb Home

Copyright statement

Please read the IAGenWeb Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer
~all of which applies to the Winneshiek Co. website. ~
this page was last updated on Thursday, 01 April 2021